Homeowners who have contemporary tastes often enjoy the versatility of residential polished concrete flooring. If you are considering it for your home, you should know the polished concrete floor cost you might pay.
For example, 500 square feet of polished concrete floor costs roughly $1,000, but a complex or more high-end design of the same size might be $8,000 or more.
Most homeowners will pay roughly $4,500 for such a project. The final cost should include any repairs and additional preparation you need. Likewise, the professional must ensure that the floor suits the process.
Let’s learn more about the price you might pay for polished floors!
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Residential Polished Concrete Floors Cost – The Per Square Foot Amount
Typically, the polished concrete floor cost anywhere from $2-$16 per square foot. However, it all depends on the polishing and staining techniques’ intricacies. If your existing concrete floors require repairs or you need a new concrete slab, the costs will be much higher, up to $30 per square foot.
Factors Affecting the Polished Concrete Floors’ Cost
It’s wise to hire a specialist to estimate the price of your polished concrete flooring. They will use common factors to determine the price you’ll pay.
In most cases, getting polished concrete floors requires someone to remove the top layer of concrete to showcase its smooth finish. Then, layers of stain are added, as well as stamping or stenciling for the design.
Finish Type
Polished concrete floors come in various finish options, which allows for customization and unique designs. The one you choose for the polished concrete flooring will affect the overall price. More complex patterns often run more per square foot than a more straightforward design.
Finished concrete floors cost anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot. However, some designs might be $10 per square foot. Later, you’ll learn about some of the most popular concrete finishes and their prices.
Size
There’s a wide range of prices for polishing concrete floors because of the many finishing options. Prices will go between $2 and $16 per square foot, and this doesn’t include replacements or repairs.
The size of your room will also play a part in the flat fee paid for the job. For example, polishing concrete floors in multiple rooms takes more time. Curved walls, corners, and working around objects will increase the time necessary for the project. However, contractors might lower the price per square foot for bigger jobs, like offering a bulk rate.
Materials
The materials and tools needed will be worked into the price you pay to polish concrete floors. The contractor will need floor grinders in various sizes and head grades to achieve your preferred style. Likewise, you’ll pay to stain the concrete floors. The staining materials could be up to $60 per gallon of stain.
Concrete Grade
The grade level is how close the room is to ground level in your house. You’ll require a cement underlayment if the polished concrete floor is installed above or on grade (above or at ground level). This could add $2 or $3 per square foot to the full cost.
Location
Since most of the cost to polish concrete flooring goes into labor, the price could vary based on where you live. Contractor rates and the cost of living will factor into the price.
Prep
You may also have to remove the old flooring to see the concrete floor. The cost to remove that will depend on the material used. For example, tile removal costs anywhere from $2 to $7 per square foot, but ripping up carpeting could be less at $1 to $5 per square foot.
Then, you or the professional must clear the room and ensure proper ventilation to polish concrete floors. Most contractors want you to cover or move things from the room. However, you could hire a local moving company to do that for you. It will cost anywhere from $25 to $50 per hour.
Labor Costs
Most of the price you pay for polishing concrete floors comes from labor. Professionals must maintain their equipment while adding stains and everything else. However, you’re ultimately paying for that skilled labor. Roughly two-thirds or more of that $2-$16 per square foot accounts for the labor costs. The price could increase because of:
- The need for contractors in the area
- Rush jobs
- Time of year
- Size and shape of room
- Additional coatings of sealant and stain
- Specialty designs
Polished Concrete Floors Cost By Style
You can get polished concrete floors in various finishes, which helps with customization and uniqueness. Typically, they run anywhere from $2 to $10 per square foot, though complex patterns might be $16 per square foot. Here’s a breakdown of the most popular concrete finishes and their prices:
Painted/Sealed Concrete
You could paint and seal the concrete floors, which will run about $1.50 to $3 per square foot. On average, it’s about $2 per square foot. Remember that paint will need texture to stick to the concrete, which might not last as long in high-traffic areas.
Sealed Concrete
Instead of putting a smooth polish into the top layer of the concrete, you could use an epoxy coating. This will add a more durable material that protects the concrete floors from oils, chemicals, breakage, moisture, and heavy traffic.
Many homeowners choose the added durability epoxy sealing will provide. However, you won’t have polished concrete floors because you can’t do both. Sealing the floor costs about $0.85 to $1.60 per square foot. Likewise, if it’s a smaller space with tight corners, it costs more and could be up to $10 per square foot.
Stained Concrete
One layer of a low-end colored stain will cost $2 to $4 per square foot, and the average price to stain the polished concrete floor will be $2 to $10 per square foot. However, high-end materials with more design elements and layers could cost $15 per square foot.
Wood-look Concrete Floors
Professional contractors can finish and stamp the polished concrete floor to appear like solid hardwood planks. This will cost $3 to $6 per square foot. That’s half the price of true hardwood flooring, often $6 to $12 per square foot.
Additional Things to Consider for the Polished Concrete Floors Cost
If you’re worried about the polished concrete floor cost you’ll pay and feel it might creep up faster than normal, consider the things below while estimating your budget. Contractors will charge more for supplies and labor depending on the complexity of the design and these factors:
Ongoing Maintenance
When everything is done, you’ll have low-maintenance concrete flooring. Though the cleaning methods vary by type, polished concrete requires a quick mopping with pH-neutral cleansers. You can also use a microfiber broom. It shouldn’t cost more than $20 per month, and you won’t have to restain the concrete for many decades.
Grinding Concrete Complexity
Grinding is a technique that creates polished concrete floors. The number of times you grind it will determine its sparkle and shine level. If you want more shine, the contractor might have to grind the flooring multiple times, which will be more expensive.
Repairs for the Existing Concrete Floor
If you’re refinishing the existing concrete slab, the contractor will assess its condition, checking for cracks and other damage. Surface repairs for concrete will require sealing the damaged areas and repairing any cracks, which can be about $2 per square foot. If it all has to be resurfaced before you can have your polished concrete floor, it will be about $2 to $3 per square foot.
New or Replacement
Polished concrete floor installation from scratch will cost about $6 per square foot on average, but it could be anywhere from $4 to $8 based on whether it’s poured on-site or precast.
It’s possible to polish existing concrete floors, but you may have to replace the concrete if it’s significantly damaged. Concrete resurfacing will cost $3 to $5 per square foot, and the professional must only add a fresh layer to the top.
Sometimes, you might have to remove all the original concrete and begin again. You’ll pay about $2 to $6 per square foot for the removal costs before installing your polished concrete floors.
Design Elements and Intricacy
The costs will increase if you want your polished concrete to have a complex design or color. Here is a breakdown of the prices:
- $2 to $6 per square foot for single layers of stain and basic designs
- $5 to $8 per square foot for more design elements, multiple colors, or scoring
- $8 to $15 per square foot for elaborate designs or advanced coloring, fake finishes, and artistic patterns
Benefits of Having Polished Concrete Flooring
Do you wish to install polished concrete floors in your home? Here are the primary advantages of doing so:
- Concrete flooring is easy to maintain and clean.
- It’s highly versatile and pairs well with various furniture styles and decorations.
- Concrete is fire-resistant.
- Concrete is mold and mildew-resistant.
- You can choose from many intricate designs and stain colors.
- Concrete is an eco-conscious option because of its material processing and longevity.
How to Save Money on Your Polished Concrete Floor
Remember that it isn’t a DIY job if you want to install polished concrete floors in your home. The grinding and laying of the concrete will make it challenging for most homeowners. However, you can save money by:
- Meeting with three or more contractors to get estimates
- Having a flexible completion time to avoid material delays and rush jobs
- Handling the junk and floor removal yourself
- Trying to resurface the concrete first
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Polished Concrete Floors
Do you want a beautiful polished concrete floor? It’s wise to work with a professional, and you learn about the prices you might pay based on your preference.
If you’re ready for all the benefits that polished concrete floors offer, it’s time to contact Austin Innovative Concrete. We can help you create a polished concrete patio or flooring for your home. Call (512) 333-4293 to get an estimate.